On a cool beautiful mountain morning 488 leads the first train up Cumbres Pass

After a hard day's work, a pair of C&TS's 4 operational K-36s rest outside the Chama shop.

Approaching the River of the Pines, the Cumbres & Toltec westbound train for Chama, New Mexico slowly moves at the foothills of the hillsides that surround the valley. In the foreground is the tra... (more)

CTS #488 descends down Cumbres Pass with its Chama bound train at Coxo as it crosses over the highway 17 road crossing.

After stopping for water, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad's 2-8-2 steam locomotive #488 pulls the westbound Antonito to Chama passenger train over the summit of Cumbres Pass during a beautiful su... (more)

A Farrails/Lerro charter freight leaves Chama heading for Cumbres. I took a picture of a DRGW Cumbres turn from this same location 50 years ago that can be viewed Railroad: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Locomotive: Steam 2-8-2
Location: Chama, New Mexico, USA
Locomotive #: CTS 488
Train ID: Unknown
Photo Date: October 23, 2012

A double header smokes it up as the train leaves Chama

Please don't discount the "flipside" of the C&TS. In many ways the experience is the most authentic of the three ex-D&RGW trips. The scenery starts out stark and evolves into spectacular. The t... (more)

Touristic steam train, at Chama - Antonito mountain route

Touristic steam train, at Chama - Antonito mountain route

A regular passenger train climbs the three percent grade towards Cumbres. Both locomotives are working hard to pull this heavy train filled with passengers.

The 488 leaves Chama in a hurry leaving a great plume of smoke behind. There was much activity in the yard today as special trains were being set up. The 315 with a special freight and chase train... (more)

C&TS 488 and 487 rest at the Chama engine house prior to leading a triple-header photo freight (with #489) over Cumbres Pass the following day.

The Chase train is reflected in Perry's Pond on the way down from Cumbres Pass. In the background Windy Point can be seen. In a few minutes the reason for the chase train would make an appearance,... (more)